Dear Santa, I’ve been a good girl all year, especially to my sister who’d made me lose weight before her wedding or I would not have been allowed to attend it. And some people have a strict dress code at their nuptials, but Alice insisted on a strict diet for the bridal party so as not to spoil the pictures by having a ‘fatty’ in the main ones (which were her words not mine, so no offence big guy). I have loved and done my best by my family, my friends and most of all, the special one who shares my soul, my bed (but not at my parents house for they won’t allow it under their roof if we’re not married). And I don’t mean my dog either when I mention bringing me joy beyond my expectations (although he does matter hugely to me) but I speak about the great love of my life, being the one and only Harvey Brands (so do ignore and excuse the happy tear stains on the ink). I’ve included a little wish list if you’d care to look it over and perhaps find it in your generous heart to grant me at least one or two of them, then I would be eternally grateful and believe in the magic of Christmas forever and a day. 1. Please make my sister Alice be nice to me. 2. Please, make this upcoming year the best ever. 3. Please, make the following week dry and bright with cold, not freezing to death weather. 4. Please, make this Christmas/New Year a joyous occasion for everyone I know and respect. 5. Please, make everything turn out perfect if it is going to be my last Christmas at home. 6. Please, make this winter white wedding the stuff of dreams, not nightmares. 7. Please, make my gift a spa retreat, as I need it to relieve the stress of organising a wedding. 8. Please, make wishes 1-6 come true and I can live without the spa date if I really had to. Thank you for taking the time to read my begging letter. I fully understand why you didn’t bring me a million pounds last time, it was silly of me to think that you’d carry that kind of ready cash on your person to deliver down the chimney (which would make it ‘dirty money’) when everyone knows you only carry toys and presents in that sack. If I really want to win the lottery then I will have to buy a ticket like everyone else I suppose so here is to winning my fortune in the future, cheers. Yours faithfully, Molly Compton (age 30⅓). XXX P.S. This is the third and final book in the Christmas Comedy Trilogy of British short novels and comes with warm wishes all round for a Happy Holidays and a peaceful New Year once again. While inviting you to read all about the farcical frivolity of sharing this Yuletide tale with our Molly, family and friends for a funny, fun-filled festivity and together we will be sure to make it one to remember.